Welcome to Mr. Truex's Wiki for English Class. Here, you will find useful information for the course curriculum, including policies, daily homework assignments, book report assignments, and long-term due dates.
SKYWARD: With grade entry, there is no way to indicate that an assignment has been submitted but is unscored. Do not panic if an assignment shows up as "missing"; panic when the assignment is a 0! I am entering book report essay grades for students who have 0's and have failed to submit the essay. Unless there is a 0 (essay is missing), assume the paper has been submitted and is awaiting grading.
Course Syllabus: Click here to see policies, point values, and details of the 8th grade English curriculum
Thursday, 5/31: Students will watch "the rest of the story" of AF; what happened after hiding. HW: Exact Path due tomorrow; Watch end of the play for Monday's test!
Movie from today:- if you want to watch more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c25oZQrnXwc
Wednesday, 5/30: Students will take a quiz on DoAF worth 10 points; after, we will watch. HW: Watch the segments posted below on the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97kl3CwHNms&pbjreload=10
Academic- watch 1:05:00 through 1:26:00
Honors- watch 57:00 through 1:26.00
Also, Exact Path due Friday; Honors P&P 2018 Extra Credit due tomorrow!
Monday, 5/29: Students will read DoAF Act 1 scenes 4 and 5 (nightmares and Hanukkah); Honors students will take P&P test before reading. HW: All classes should watch the remainder of Act 1 on youtube, starting at 48:00 and watching to the end (60:00). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFn0pGY66dU
Thursday, 5/24 and Friday, 5/25: All-day hockey schedules. In class, students will take AR tests, check books in the library, and watch 15 minutes of the DoAF video where Dr. Dussel joins. HW: EP due next Friday!
Wednesday, 5/23: All classes will continue reading DoAF; Students will identify words with connotative menaings.
Tuesday, 5/22: AC classes will continue the Diary; Honors classes will review prepositional phrases as used as adjective phrases.
Monday, 5/21: Students will continue reading DoAF in class, focusing on the characterization of the characters based on words and actions.
Friday, 5/18: DoAF, Act 1 scene 2 and 3. HW: Exact Path and AR!
Thursday, 5/17 DOAF: Reading! DOAF; Act 1 scene 2 and 3; AR tests for academic classes.
Wednesday, 5/16: DOAF: read Act 1, Scene 2 and part of 3. Also, we will write a paragraph response about the third wall fact that students read about.
Tuesday, 5/15: Students will use their learned fact sheets from yesterday to work with a partner on a Venn Diagram and with a second partner to give an oral paragraph summary. We will use the third fact tomorrow in class! We will then read some of Act I, Scene 2 of DoaF. HW: EP. AR 4/24.
Monday, 5/14: Students will work with the fact sheets in the hallway to create notes on 3 topics. We will use the notes tomorrow to teach the topics to other students. We will also read a page or two of the Diary of Anne Frank. HW: Review notes; AR 5/24/ Exact Path
Thursday, 5/10: Students will take their AR tests and work with their WWII Fact Sheets, sharing with a friend and hanging them in the appropriate heading area in the hallway. We will also get books from the library. HW: AR 5/24; Exact Path
Wednesday, 5/9: Today we will spend the period reading the play, assigning the parts, and starting Act 1 scene 1 and 2. HW: AR!
Tuesday, 5/8: Students will submit the 2 copies of their fact sheets in class, and then begin background on The Diary of Anne Frank.. HW: AR Thursday
Monday, 5/7: Students will compile their WWII fact sheet in class and print two copies for tomorrow.
It should be size 12 Times New Roman, Title should be in italics, 10 bullet point notes in complete sentences, 1 bullet point "So What" as bullet #11, cittaions for statistics/quotes/rare information, easy bib entries in the footnote, 1 picture, and 2 copies printed! See example from 5/1 below.
Friday, 5/4: Vocab test on list #12 . HW: EP, AR, and fact sheet for WWII!
Thursday, 5/3: Classes will use quizlet to review list #12 quietly, and then play "Quizlet Live". After, WWII fact sheet research will continue. HW: Study! vocab!
Wednesday, 5/2: Students will work on vocabulary by reviewing yesterday's answers from the fill in the blank sentences; they will then work on page 4 of the packet, synonym and antonyms. After, students will work on their WWII research project for 15-20 minutes. Students should take notes in note form, citing references and putting notes into their own words. HW: study vocab!
Tuesday, 5/1: Trade vocab HW #12 and complete with partner. We will then pick WWII research projects and look at the rubric and example; research begins tomorrow. HW: Study vocab!
Friday, 4/27: Classes will finish part III of the book, "Resistance, Rescue, and Liberation". Students will make a 10-question T/F quiz to pass around the room as review. HW: EP, AR .
Thursday, 4/26: Classes will continue using the "TTWR" book to learn about the Holocaust; students will continue to accrue new facts and questions on their notes paper.
Wednesday, 4/25: PSSA Testing- no classes 1-3. Periods 4-6 will look at TTWR and look at the remainder of the events that lead to "The Final Solution". HW: EP and AR ; DC Monday due Friday!
Tuesday, 4/24: PSSA Science Testing- no classes 1-3. Periods 4-6 will look at Tell Them We Remember: Story of the Holocaust and look at Jewish life in Europe prior to the Holocaust. HW: AR May 2 and 6 EP skills.
Monday, 4/23: Students will complete the WWII video and answer two questions in paragraph form: 1) Would you have dropped the atomic bomb on Japan, knowing the loss of life to civilians, and 2) What is America's role in the gobal community? Should we be isolationists and ignore the rest of the world's problems, or should we be involved in all conflicts, to insure that all global citizens enjoy life, liberty, and happiness?
Friday, 4/20: Students will continue watching the WWII video- to be completed on Monday! HW: Exact Path 6 skills- 3 reading, 3 LA!
Thursday, 4/19: Students will watch part of a video to introduce them to WWII. Students will have to answer 30 of the 50 questions as we watch. We will also take AR tests, and if possible, got to the library for AR books.
Wednesday, 4/18: Students will watch Part 1 and 2 of "WWI Oversimplified" videos to understand the causes, participants, instigators, and outcomes of WWI. Links are below!
Tuesday, 4/17:Students will begin inquiry into K-W-L of WWII in class, with a cursory overview of the causes and participants in WWII.
Monday, 4/16: In class today, students will work on the writing techniques for open-ended mathematics questions. HW: complete the responses not finished in class today. AR test Thursday!
Friday, 4/13: All classes will have the period as an Exact Path workday.
Thursday, 4/12: Day 3, PSSA Testing. Students will continue/complete grammar mistakes in class today.
Wednesday, 4/11:Day 2, PSSA testing. We will continue grammar errors in class.
Tuesday, 4/10: PSSA Testing. In class we will return work and look at grammar errors in writing projects.
Monday, 4/9- Classes will compare their TDA to student responses from the state and compare for scoring. We will also review how to prepare for tomorrow's PSSA! HW: Extra credit 19 gramamr questions to add 5 points to grammar quiz score.
Friday, 4/6: Students will take the 40-grammar term quiz in class today; grades for the quiz will be entered Monday. Following we will review the TDA from yesterday and give students time to work on it. HW: Complete TDA essay, and for 5 points extra credit, complete the grammar practice below. 15/19 score will be given 5 points extra credit to the quiz score from class today. For each question, give the correct answer and explain the "why" you said it was correct. ex. "B is the correct answer because a colon is used when listing items with a dramatic pause".
Thursday, 4/5: After completing group review of the 40 terms, students will review their "Whales" TDA and look at the example below for comparison. Following, we will start our last TDA, due Monday. HW: 40 grammar term quiz tomorrow!
Wednesday, 4/4: Students will have 10 minutes with similar-numbered word partners to review their 10 words and make sure they understand each before joining back with their original team of 4 to teach the terms. we will complete 3 of the 4 partners in class today and the 4th partner tomorrow. HW: Study the terms tonight and be ready to ask questions about the terms tomorrow!
Tuesday, 4/3: Students will check over text structure passages and OE response before looking at PSSA-released grammar items and working on strategies. Following, we will examine 40 grammar terms on the PSSA review sheet and divide them into 9 or 10 terms per student to study tonight. Tomorrow, students will take their 10 terms and teach them to the class! Know your terms!
Exact Path for 4th marking period will be 3 reading skills and 3 ELA skills!
Monday, 4/2: All students will review the 7 punctuation marks before continuing work on text structures. HW: complete the in-packet organizer for passages 2 and 3; for passage 4, identify, and draw a paragraph organizer for the question" What type of text structure is passage #4? Cite evidance in your response". Turn the organizer into a paragraph!
Wednesday, 3/28: Students will take a punctuation quiz on the 7 punctuation marks using their 8-box made in class yesterday. We will also start looking at text structures.
Tuesday, 3/27: Students will work on adjective and noun clauses today; following, we will work on the 7 oddball punctuation marks. Students will make an 8-box on blank paper, and use each box for one of the 7 punctuation marks- apostrophes, semicolons, colons, hyphens, dashes, and ellipsis points. Students will find these in box 13 on Englishgammar 101.com; for each point, they should write a definition, take 2 additional notes, do the practice exercises until they get 5 correct, and write a sentence that uses that punctuation mark correctly. Complete for HW. ALSO: Exact Path due tomorrow at 11:59 PM!
Monday, 3/26: We will introduce adverbs today, and follow with a review of the MC questions from "Gentle Giants" from Friday. After, we will review the TDA structure and students will begin writing the TDA response. HW: Complete TDA; Exact Path LA due Wednesday!
Friday, 3/23: Students will practice annotating non-fiction and answering TDA questions by reading "Swimming with Gentle Giants" and answering the 9 multiple choice answers. For homework, students will use a graphic organizer to answer the following prompt:
In "Swiimming with Gentle Giants", Rachel Cartwright explains the population cycles of humpback whales. Explain these population cycles, and discuss the potential problems facing the whales today. Cite evidence from the text in your answer.
HW: Exact Path and graphic organizer
Thursday, 3/22- Students will write a paragraph to explain/attempt to explain adjectives and adjective clauses. Then, we will review and practice adjective clauses further. HW: rewrite/complete adjective paragraph; collected tomorrow. Exact Path!
Wednesday, 3/21- No School
Tuesday, 3/20: Today we will preview list #12 and practice context clues for the first 6 words. We will then review adjectives, looking at box 5/lessons 2-5 and box 9/lesson 2 for adjective clauses. HW: Be ready for a quiz on adjective clauses (9/2) tomorrow!
Friday, 3/16: All students will review the checklist of 8 narrative skills before working on their narrative essay, due Monday. HW: narrative; Vocab test #11; Exact Path LA.
Wednesday, 3/14: Students will check their notes against the 8 items on the Narrative Writing Checklist and add to their list.
Tuesday, 3/13: Academic and honors classes will complete a readworks.org article in class today with the substitute. HW: AR test Thursday!
Monday, 3/12: Today we will begin a quick unit on Narrative Writing. Students will read "Once Upon a Time, When we were Colored" and pull 8 common characteristics of narrative writing from it and from "Raymond's Run", which we read earlier this year. HW: complete the 8-item checklist, with examples from each. AR Thursday, Vocab 11 Friday.
Friday, 3/9: Quiz on verbs today. HW: Exact Path LA; AR Thursday; Vocab 11 Friday.
Thursday, 3/8: Today we will finish working through the module 3 on verbs. Students will work on active/passive, verb tense shift, and then complete lessons 13,14,16,17, and 18 on their own. HW: Quiz tomorrow: active, linking, helping, participles, to be, verb tense shift, participles, active/passive, and agreement. Know definitions and be able to give examples of each! Oh, and yes, the helping verb quiz!
Tuesday, 3/6: Studnts will review the HV cheer and then continue working on AV, HV, and LV, as well as participles. HW: Readworks articles due Thursday, regardlesss of whether or not we have school tomorrow!
Monday, 3/5: Classes will begin working on Language Arts skills by reviewing lessons 1-5 on Module 3, Englishgrammar101.com- Action, Linking, Helping verbs, and the verb "to be". HW: 1) Review: types of verbs (under lesson 5)- possible quiz tomorrow- 2) Vocab HW- 12 sentences with words in the sentence (not fill ins)- include 4 sentences with an action verb, 4 with a linking verb, and 4 with helping verbs/main verbs. Be ready to trade tomorrow, write synonyms for the vocab words, and identify verbs!
Helping Verb Cheer: AM IS ARE WAS WERE/ BE BEING BEEN/ DO DOES DID/ HAVE HAS HAD/ MAY MIGHT MUST/
CAN COULD /SHALL SHOULD/ WILL WOULD!
Hey parents: Can you help support our Mini-THON? Make sure your child's registration paperwork and $40 are submitted this week! It is an awesome night of fun, For The Kids!!!! FTK! Also, if you can help bring food and support our Mini-THON, please sign up on http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e48abac29a64-2018
Thursday, 3/1 and Friday, 3/2: Two-day poetry test! HW: EP LA and AR on 3/15.
Wednesday, 2/28: Classes will look at their respective vocab 11 lists, words 11-20 today in class. We will then review the layout for "Ode to Large Tuna" and collect at the end of the period. Finally, students have a readworks article on "Paul Revere's Ride"; questions and OE answers are due tomorrow. HW: Readworks, and test tomorrow. on Poetry. Look over list #8 tonight and review your vocabulalry!
Tuesday, 2/27: Students will share and submit their RAA poems from yesterday. We will then look at vocab list #11 (posted below). Finally, students will begin the poem "Ode to a Large Tuna" and answer the question "What is the author's tone towards the tuna in the market? Cite examples to support your answer." Draw and complete a graphic organizer to answer the question.HW: Graphic organizer for tomorrow!
Monday, 2/26: Poetry writing in class! Write an poem about the main character of your last AR book.
Requirements:
1. 12 lines minimum; stanzas are optional.
2. Maximum 1 page
3. Tell the adventures of your protagonist and any heroic actions
4. Rhyming require in first 4 lines- ABBA. After that, you may go to free verse or create your own rhyme scheme,
5. Use one vocab word from lists 9 or 10.
6. Neatly done for submission!
7. Extra Credit: Complete the poem in Italian Sonnet Form: ABBA/ABBA?CDCDCD or ABBA/CDDC/EFEFEF; or ABBA/ABBA/CDECDE; 10 syllables per line; second syllable in a 2-syllable foot is stressed.
Example:
"Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers" (Italian Sonnet)
Should you be moved to speak in anger, dear,
I ask that first you test your words alone.
If anger stems from blunder of my own
You’ll want to be assured your meaning’s clear.
Harsh words once thrown will travel like a spear.
We’ve both before said words we can’t disown,
They’re best unsaid than trying to attone.
The thoughts that form those words might disappear.
So hold those words for later; don’t despair
There’s nothing risked delaying words that grate.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
I’ll listen to your words- you know I’m fair.
So love, allow your anger to abate.
I love you dearly; I will make it right.
Friday, 2/23: Vocab test #10! HW: Exact Path LA!
Thursday, 2/22: Students will review the work from yesterday, including a line-by-line breakdown of Sonnet 43. We will then work with the rhyme scheme and the meter of the poem, identifying what "iambic pentameter" is and how it is used in the poem. We will then take AR tests and pick books in the library. HW: Vocab 10 quiz tomorrow.
Wednesday, 2/21:
In class today:
1. Re-read "Sonnet 43" in readworks again.
2. Identify 10 ways she loves him (on notebook paper).
3. Find two sections of the poem that you find confusing.
1; 2-4; 5-6;7-8; 9-10; 11-12; 12-13; 13-14. Read the summaries of these lines and write a paragraph summary of each section. https://www.shmoop.com/how-do-i-love-thee-sonnet-43/section-1-lines-1-8-summary.html
4. Identify the rhyme scheme of the sonnet.
HW: AR Test tomorrow, Vocab #10 Friday.
Tuesday, 2/20: Students will peer-evaluate their TDA paragraphs, and then students will submit for a grade. We will also look at/discuss the poem "If" from readworks and review the correct OE and MC questions. Finally, students will preview "Sonnet 43" from readworks; tonight, answer the multiple-choice questions only and submit answers.
ANAPHORA (question 6)- use of repetition of a word or phrase
HW: Answer 7 MC questions on Sonnet 43; AR Thursday; Vocab #10 Friday; 9th Period work owed party on Thursday!!!!
Monday, 2/19: Students will complete the assignment that was not completed Friday- either the readworks.org poem entitled "If" or the TDA essay paragraphs. Both are due tomorrow! HW: complete each, plus AR Thursday and Vocab Quiz #10 Friday.
Friday, 2/16: Students will review their TDA responses from yesterday. Following, students will have the choice of doing two more paragraphs of the TDA OR working on the Readworks poem "If". Whichever is chosen needs to be completed this weekend; the other assignment will be done on Monday in class. Both "If" and the TDA are due Tuesday in class. ALSO: AR Thursday; Exact Path LA #4 skill should also be done!
Thursday, 2/15: Academic students will continue looking at the TDA response to compare/contrast the two readings. Students will practice START, ICES, ICES, etc. as they write their TDA. Students will compare their writing to the model below:
Wednesday, 2/14: Academic classes will work on comparing and contrasting "I Hear America" and "Industrialization" with the question, "Are the portrayals of work in America during the 1800's similar or different? Cite examples in your response." HW: Complete the introduction, using the START method shown in class. Honors: students will complete EP reading diagnostic. AR 2/23; EP LA!
Tuesday, 2/13: Students in academic classes will trade vocab HW's and complete.
After, all classes will log into readworks.com and join an class using the class codes listed below.
Academic classes should read the article "The Industrial Revolution" and Honors students should read the article "People Who Built America: Ford". Read the articles, answer the muliple-choice questions, and answer the open-ended questions as well.
Monday, 2/12: Classes will preview vocab list #10 in class. HW: Draw 8-box cartoons of 8 words; partners need to guess the words tomorrow!
Thursday, 2/8- Late Start. Classes will complete EP LA Diagnostic and prepare for vocabulary test on Friday. HW: Vocab test!
Wednesday, 2/7: No School- Snow Day
Tuesday, 2/6: Exact Path Language Arts diagnostic in class today.
Monday, 2/5: Late Start: Classes will work on their EP Reading diagnostic if unfinished; otherwise, they will read "I Hear America Singing" below and write a paragraph response to address the theme of the poem. Tomorrow: EP LA test.
Friday, 2/2: Classes will work on EP Reading diagnostic in class today. Honors classes will attend their field trip to Fort Indiantown Gap. HW: EP LA!
Thursday, 2/1: Periods 1, 5,6,7: Classes will work on Exact Path Language Arts for the period before going to the library and taking AR 3A/Selecting a new book. HW: EP LA!
Wednesday, 1/31: Students will be reviewing the poetry compare/contrast from yesterday's class. After, we will look at a poem and a non-fiction piece about the "Battle of the Bulge". which was fought in WWII to prepare for the WWII assembly tomorrow. HW: complete readings/Questions, and AR 3A tomorrow in class.
Tuesday, 1/30: After trading and completing vocab HW #9, students will compare/contrast "Still I Rise" and "Mother to Son" using the worksheet questions below.
Monday, 1/29: Students will receive vocab list #9 in class today and review words. We will also review poem responses and annotations. HW: complete vocab 9 HW- 12 fill in the blank sentences. AR Thursday!
Friday, 1/26: Students in academic classes will submit their written responses and then start the annotation of "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. AC HW: Complete annotation of "Still I Rise" using the chart used in class. Honors will set up a graphic organizer and begin the organization of their response, using the 5-paragraph essay method. Topic" How does Symbolism affect the theme of "Mother to Daughter?" Honors HW: Complete graphic organizer.
ALL CLASSES: * Exact Path LANGUAGE ARTS skills due this marking period= 8 hours of work=1 hour a week! Next AR is 2/1.
Thursday, 1/25: Academic students will complete the annotation of "Mother to Son"; following, they will look at how to start a TDA response to the question " How does symbolism affect the theme of "Mother to Son"? Write the response for homework tonight. Honors will do their cover page for Major Author, and then start in on the poem "Mother to Son".
Wednesday, 1/24: Students will look at the process of breaking down a poem by using the article from wikihow link and practicing on the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes".
Tuesday, 1/23: Academic classes will begin their poetry unit by looking at two mysteries and searching for clues. After, we will determine what kind of "clues" are present in a poem to construct meaning!
Monday, 1/22: Classes will take their quizzes on Vocab list #8, poetry! HW: AR 2/1.
Friday, 1/19: Teacher Inservice!
Thursday, 1/18: Students will submit the final copy of their Arguementative essay in class today and will work on Exact Path, which is due tomorrow at 12:00! HW: Vocab test on Poetry on Monday!
Wednesday, 1/10- No School! Snow Day!
Tuesday, 1/9: Students will trade and complete vocab HW #8 for credit in class. After, we will begin editing the tech essay by doing a self-edit and by doing 1 peer edit. More editing to follow tomorrow! HW: AR and Exact Path
Monday, 1/8: Early dismissal. We will review vocab list #8 in class today. Students should complete vocab #8 HW, 12 matching of the words and "examples of" the words. Also, students should have a paper copy of their tech essay in class tomorrow for credit!
Friday, 1/5: All classes will have the period to try to complete the rough draft of the technology essay, completing the 3rd argument, the rebuttal, and the conclusion. For Monday, all 6 paragraphs should be completed!
Thursday 1/4: Classes will take their AR tests and go to the library today. We will also work on the rough drafts of the tech essay.
Wednesday, 1/3: All classes will work on their introduction hooks and definitions; after, we will start typing the essay! 2 paragraphs are to be typed for tomorrow, the introduction and the first body paragraph. AR test tomorrow as well!
Tuesday, 1/2: Students will have time in class to work on their rebuttal paragraphs for the technology essay- and to complete any parts of the essay still undone. Be ready to write tomorrow! AR test Thursday.
Friday, 12/22: In-class activities today.
Thursday, 12/21: Vocab Quiz #7 in class today! HW: over break, complete three boxes for argumentative tech essay; Honors also have Major Author Biography due 1/3.
Wednesday, 12/20: Continued research on technology/AI. Honors should have two articles completed by tomorrow; academics will have three completed. All research for all classes should be completed by 1/2/18. Vocab Quiz #7 tomorrow!
Tuesday, 12/19: Students will spend the period researching their technology topics in class today. Honors should complete their first article by tomorrow; academics should complete their second.
Monday, 12/18: Academic students will begin formulating their thesis before they begin researching tech pro/con articles for their argumentative essay. The articles posted below are to help with the research process.
Friday- Academics will review the agrees/disagree statements from yesterday's article. We will then begin formulating the tech argument by looking at the following worksheet:
Thursday, 12/14: Students in academic classes will continue to look at technology and develop their stance on its impact on our lives. Today, we will look at a pros/cons article about technology, in general. Students will look for 10 statements about technology and classify them as a statement they agree or disagree with, and provide a 1 sentence explanation of why they agree or disagree.
We will then start researching the author. Use as sheet of lined paper; put webpage title, author, and url at the top, and use that paper ONLY for the source at the top. Take notes to document the author's life as outlined on the Major Author sheet.
Wednesday, 12/13: Students will look at the articles below and answer questions on AI technology.
Tuesday, 12/12: Students will trade homework #7 (grammar) in class today before looking into AI and technology.
Monday, 12/11: Students will review vocab list #7 (Grammar) in class today. Following, we will wrap up "The Veldt" by brainstorming thematic ideas pertaining to Warnings for Parents, Children, and Technology. HW: Vocab 7 HW: Do a 12-question matching quiz for tomorrow.
Friday, 12/8: All classes will take vocab quiz #7 today. HW: Exact Path!
Thursday, 12/7: Classes will look at the following questions in class and answer any 5 of the 15 questions, prior to taking the AR test and going to the library. HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow on list #6.
Wednesday, 12/6: All classes will read "The Veldt" and try to complete it in class. The story and youtube link are below. As you write, complete the 15 observations about the story. AR tomorrow; Vocab Friday; Exact Path Monday.
Period 1- Completed in class
Period 2- Part V, 18:54 on youtube
Period 5- Part V, 20:00 on youtube
Period 6- Part IV, 17:40 on youtube
Period 7-Part V, 18:54 on youtube
Tuesday, 12/5: Academic classes will trade vocab crossword homeworks and complete them before starting to read/ listent to"The Veldt", listed below. Period 7 students should open the story (below) and listen on the youtube link up to 7:36, where we stopped in class. Honors classes will trade vocab crosswords, and then read the overview of the Major Author research project. Due dates are 12/11 (summary #1), 1/3 (Author biography research), and 1/8 (Summary #2).
All Classes HW: AR Thursday, Vocab Quiz #6 Friday, and Exact Path Monday.
Monday, 12/4: Today we will start the story "The Veldt" to kick off our technology unit. We will also do a journal to start discussing the technology issue. "The Veldt" link is listed below-
HW: Vocab HW 6B- Crossword puzzle using vocab list #6 words! You may use this website if you can print: https://crosswordlabs.com/ Save it as a PDF and then print!
Friday, 12/1: Students who have class today will work on Exact Path; 1 skill achievement (minimum) is due Monday for reading.
Thursday, 11/30: Classes will take the englishgrammar101.com quiz on subjects and predicates in class today. After, students in academic classes will begin working on adjectives; Honors students will look at objects, complements, and transitive/intransitive. Honors students should look at lessons 6-12, read the material, and practice the questions. Then, they should write a three-paragraph "How To" paper on how to find and identify each of the areas above- objects, complements, and transitive/intransitive. Due tomorrow. HW: start working on exact path reading; 1 skill minimum due Monday. Also, AR is 12/7 and vocab quiz is 12/8.
Wednesday, 11/29: Classes will trade homework and identify misused vocab words; after, we will compare word off of the parts of speech comparison chart. Following, we will work on subject and predicate identification from englishgrammar101.com, using box 4 lessons 1-5 to practice. Tomorrow, students will be quizzed on subjects and predicates using the "review" link under lesson #5. Tomorrow, we will pick up with adjectives and adverbs.
HW: AR 12/7; quiz on subjects and predicates tomorrow!
Tuesday, 11/28: All classes will review vocab list #6 (posted below). After, we will work on changing parts of speech and changing the forms of words from nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs. HW: 12 True/false sentences- write a sentence, fill in vocab word. 6 should be done correctly, and 6 should have the wrong word inserted for partners to find and correct tomorrow.
Tuesday, 11/21: Classes in periods 1 and 2 will continue work with Exact Path; afternoon classes will be watching a movie. HW: AR on 12/7; get a book completed if you failed the first AR test so you can do a replacement!
Monday, 11/20: Classes will use Exact Path software today to get used to the new computer software. Vocab 6 will also be distributed in class.
Wednesday, 1/15: Shortened periods- Falcons Care schedule. In class, students will be writing their short story essays; they will have 12 minutes to complete them in class tomorrow. HW: AR test tomorrow! Vocab Friday!
Tuesday, 11/14: Shorted periods due to Exact Path Math testing. Classes will practice developing hooks and pick one to use for their introduction; after, students will complete their introductions and conclusions for tomorrow's essay. HW: Practice the essay; say it, re-write the organizer, or write it...but know it! Also, AR on Thursday.
Monday, 11/13: Shortened periods due to Exact Path Language Arts testing. Classes will begin to work on the graphic organizer for their short-story essay, which will be written in class on Wednesday. HW: AR Thursday.
Thursday and Friday, 11/9 and 11/10: Parent teacher conferences
Wednesday, 11/8: Classes will complete the editing of their 1C essay. After, they will finish any exact path testing, read their AR book, or go to the book fair if they have $$. HW: AR Thursday!
Tuesday, 11/7: Shortened periods due to testing. Periods 1-7 will work on essay corrections from their 1C AR essay. HW: AR 11/16; bring $$ if you want to go to the book fair tomorrow!
Monday, 11/6: Students will choose one more Poe story to read in class today from the list of stories below. Once they have completed the story, they will use it to fill in the last column of the compare/contrast chart provided on Thursday. HW: complete the Poe chart for tomorrow. https://poestories.com/stories.php
Story choices:
"Black Cat"
"Cask of Amontillado"
"Ligeia"
"Pit and Pendulum"
"Fall of the House of Usher"
Friday, 11/3: No School/teacher inservice
Thursday, 11/2: Classes will continue reading Poe in order to do a compare/contrast of his life and works.
After reading both poems, "Tell-Tale Heart", and reading his biography, complete three (3) columns in the compare/contrast chart provided in class. Due Monday.
Wednesday, 11/1: Classes will complete "The Tell- Tale Heart" and answer a paragraph question about the story. Academic: Is the narrator sane or insane. Period 6 honors should finish the story.
Tuesday, 10/31: After trading and grading vocab HW #5, we will start reading Poe's "Tell- Tale Heart". HW: enjoy the candy!
Monday, 10/30: All classes will review vocab list #5 in class today; after, we will study the biography of E.E. Poe in preparation of tomorrow's reading. HW: Vocab list #5 HW- 12 fill ins; all work is owed by Thursday!
Friday, 10/27: Vocab Quiz #4 in class today. HW: complete three paragraphs on book 1C, assigned yesterday, worth 30 points.
Thursday, 10/26: First, classes will complete an organizer to delineate the three parts of an intro, three parts of a body paragraph, and three parts of a conclusion. Students should write a 3-word definition of each. After, we will look at the topic for academics, "Who are the three most important characters in your book" and Honors will look at the topic "What are the most important literary devices used by your author in your novel?" For Monday, students should write an abbreviated essay with an intro, one (of the three) body paragraphs, and a conclusion on the topic listed above. Any more than 5 grammar errors or three structural errors and the essay will be returned to redo!
We will then take AR tests and go to the library for new books.
HW: Vocab Quiz #4 tomorrow.
Wednesday, 10/25: Students will trade vocab HW (Academic), and review their conclusions from last night. Afterwards, students will have time to review vocab on quizlet or read for AR tomorrow. HW: AR test tomorrow!
Tuesday, 10/24: Today we will review the introductions on "Identity Theft" before looking to conclusions. Students will read the hand out and supplement it with the website: https://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html
Academic- After, we will practice writing conclusions by writing a conclusion to the "Identity Theft" topic and review; also, 12 matching vocab HW.
Honors- After, we will write an intro/conclusion to the topic "what point of view does the author of your AR book use, and why is it the most appropriate?"
All- AR test Thursday; Vocab Friday.
HW: Tonight, write an intro AND conclusion to the topic: "Why is the point of view that the author chooses to use in your AR book the most appropriate for the novel?" Write both an introduction and conclusion; do not write the body paragraphs!
Monday, 10/23: We will continue working on introductions today by looking at the parts of the introduction. First, we will unscramble the sentences in the worksheet below to make paragraphs and delineate which sentences are the hook, definition, and thesis. After, we will work on the bridge/definition part of the introduction by doing a bridging activity to link the hook noun to the thesis.HW: Finish "Identity Theft" if you did not do so in class today; Period 2 needs to write a practice intro on the topic " Name three reasons why I should read your AR book"; AR for all classes Thursday!
Flex this week: Englishgrammar101.com- Box #3, Verbs: Do lessons 1,2,3,4,5; Quiz on "Review: Types of Nouns" next week!
Friday, 10/20: Students will trade and peer-evaluate the paragraphs about paragraphs. We will then start looking at a graphic organizer on introductions, and students will practice an introduction using the worksheet. HW: complete practice introduction; complete corrections; AR test 10/26!
Thursday, 10/19: Today, students will have time to complete 4 assignments; 1. complete the remainder of writing corrections; 2. Write a paragraph that properly explains how to write a paragraph; 3. complete any work owed; 4. Read AR book. HW: Corrections and paragraph due tomorrow.
Wednesday, 10/18: Classes will trade vocabulary HW and complete "righty/wrongy" exercise. After, we will return work and do writing corrections to any grammatical error committed in the writing. For each mistake,
1A- Rewrite the sentence; underline the correction made in the sentence.
1B- Explain the grammar rule that was broken (I need a comma here because...)
1C- Write a new sentence that demonstrates/practices the grammar rule broken
HW: complete a total of 3 corrections to the essays provided in class.
Tuesday, 10/17: Vocab list #4 will be distributed and reviewed in class today. HW: 12 "Righty/Wrongy" sentences; write a fill in the blank sentence, and then fill in the blank with either a correct or incorrect vocabulary word. Tomorrow, partners will evaluate each sentence, determine if the word is correct or incorrect, and correct the incorrect ones. AR test is 10/26!
Monday, 10/16: All classes will take Vocab Quiz #3 in class today and submit their paragraphs on the AR book from last week. HW: read AR book; only 10 days until your next test!
Friday, 10/13: Students will peer-edit their partner's paragraph on the Renaissance Faire, looking that the sentences that structure a paragraph are done well and evaluating their work. After, the students will copy down the organizer for two paragraphs for the weekend; paragraph #1 is on the topic "the main character of your book was very " (characterization) and the second paragraph is "the main character of your book learned_ " (theme). Students should complete the organizers, and then turn each into a proper paragraph. Also, for HW, study for vocab list #2- quiz Monday!
Thursday, 10/12: Classes will recap their day at the Renaissance Faire and talk about their experiences. We will start working on paragraphing and write a practice paragraph on "School Busses", modeling topic sentences, supporting sentences, and concluding sentences. For HW, students should complete their school bus paragraph and write a paragraph about a show they watched during the Renaissance Faire, supporting the topic and the claim. HW: AR test tomorrow.
Wednesday, 10/11: Day at the Faire!
Tuesday, 10/10: Classes will learn about the Renaissance time period and what to expect at the Renaissance Faire. Students will also submit their reading logs for grading.
Friday, 10/6: Part II of the short story test today. HW: Reading logs (worth 120 points are due Tuesday; AR test Friday 10/14.
Thursday, 10/5: Part I of the short story test today. Part II tomorrow!
Wednesday, 10/4: Classes today will review for tomorrow's Short Story test by looking at literary terms and reviewing the 4 short stories. Students will work in partners to complete this review activity; complete it for HW if unfinished during the class period. HW: Complete review activity and review vocab llist #1!
On Hope: http://mettler.tumblr.com/post/198892031/on-hope-by-spencer-holst
Tuesday, 10/3: Classes will trade and complete vocab HW #3 (worth 10 points). We will then review "Dancer" or "Tinkhamtown" before starting the final story of our unit, "Raymond's Run". HW: Complete "Raymond's Run" and the reading logs.
RAYMOND'S RUN: http://www.syracusecityschools.com/tfiles/folder836/raymond's%20run%20text.pdf
Monday, 10/2: Classes will take a reading quiz/Collins #2 writing on their short story and discuss it today. After, we will distribute and discuss Vocab list #3, a second list of character traits. HW: 12 Multiple-Choice questions using the words and definitions.
Friday, 9/29: Vocab Quiz #2 will be administered in class today. All students should check their skyward grade in the portal and make sure they do not have an F or D and owe 3 assignments- or it's lunch detention on Tuesday!
Thursday, 9/28: Mr. Swartz will be in class today, teaching about reacting to stress and trauma as related to "Stop the Sun". HW: Vocab Quiz #2; paragraph on Vietnam.
Wednesday 9/27: Classes will review the "Vietnam: The Noblest Calling" article and questions from yesterday. We will then work on our concluding activity, which is to draw a conclusion whether or not the Vietnam Conflict was justified. HW: complete the graphic organizers posted below; we will turn these into paragraphs for Friday. Study vocab!
Tuesday, 9/26: Students will complete their Literary Terms organizer for "Stop the Sun" and take a 5 question quiz about their reading last night. After, we will look at the Vietnam conflict through the eyes of a second veteran. HW: Finish reading and questions; vocab Friday; AR!
Monday, 9/25: Classes will begin the story "Stop the Sun" by Gary Paulsen today. Students will fill out the #1 and #2 portions of their reading logs as we read. HW: Complete the story using the link below, and complete the reading log #3 boxes. Also HW: Vocab Quiz Friday- Study!
Flex this week: Pronouns! Compete lessons 1,2,3,5,6,8,and 11; do other lessons as needed. This will be a difficult week- lots of new vocabulary is associated with pronouns, including reflexive, demonstrative, interrogative, and others!
Friday, 9/22: We will review last night's Vietnam worksheets and watch a youtube video to simplify the Vietnam conflict. After, we will look at how communism impacted the Vietnam conflict before starting the story "Stop the Sun".
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoXySB-WlZE
Thursday, 9/21: Classes will review "On Hope" Journal #3 and the "Elements of Fiction" organizer. After, we will take AR tests and select new books in the library. HW: All classes will be reading a non-fiction piece on the Vietnam War tonight and answering the assigned questions, which are due tomorrow. NOTE: Any student who did poorly on their AR tests today may retake them at any time before the end of the marking period to replace the poor score!
Wednesday, 9/20: Students will complete the story "On Hope" by completing their reading logs in class and completing the "elements of fiction" organizer on the back. Students will write Journal #3 on the topic "What is the resolution? Why" for the story "On Hope". HW: complete J#3; Complete
the "Elements of Fiction" if not completed in class.
Tuesday, 9/19: After trading and completing list #2 HW, we will look at "On Hope" and complete the story. Students should have the entire first reading log completed with 10 observations about the story. HW: AR, englishgrammar101.com
Monday, 9/18: Classes will review vocab list #2, Character Traits (affable). We will then begin the story "On Hope" and work on reading strategies. HW: Vocab 2 HW: 12 fill ins using new words. 4 sentences should be simple, 4 compound, and 4 complex. FLEX noun test this week; AR Thursday.
Wednesday, 9/13: All classes will spend the day with Mrs. Raytick today, learning about the new library activities and resources.
Tuesday, 9/12: Students will look at Journal #2 and check for usage of DIIE in the entry. Following, we will pass journal entries and identify the DIIE sentences in partners' entries. At the end of class, we will cover the 3 sentence patterns on the back of our graphic organizer. HW: Vocab Quiz and AR book!
Monday, 9/11: Students will use the worksheet below to work on sentences, run-ons, and fragments:
HW: Journal #2: Write a 100-word journal entry on the topic "What is your favorite movie, and why should I watch it?" Try to persuade me! As you write the entry, you must use each of the 4 sentence types: Declarative, Imperative, Interrogative,
Image result for flex cartoon
FLEX: Englishgrammar101.com- Lessons 1,2,6,7,8,9 on Nouns; test next Flex period!
Friday, 9/8: All students will do the definition of a sentence competition to see who knows it best! Congrats Kacie...you will have your Dr. Pepper Monday or Tuesday! After, we will use the organizer to complete Run on's/Fragments, and the 4 sentence types (DIIE!). HW: AR book 9/15, Vocab quiz 9/15.
Thursday, 9/7: Classes will self-edit their writing prompt from yesterday using the "read aloud" method. After, we will begin sentencing before heading to the library to pick out AR books for the 9/21 deadline. Homework: memorize the definition of a sentence for the competition tomorrow!
Wednesday, 9/6: Classes will trade and complete their vocabulary homework #1 in class. After, students will write a sample essay on the topic "What do you value? What is important to you?" This essay is to see how students structure their writing and where their writing skills are currently. the three FCA's are based on their content, organization, and grammar- essay is worth 15 points tomorrow!
Tuesday, 9/5: Classes today will review and discuss vocab list #1, Literary Terms. Time permitting, students will begin their vocabulary homework #1, to create 12 fill-in-the-blank sentences using the words in list #1. Put a word bank at the bottom of the page for your partner to use tomorrow.
example: 1. The __ of the book was Philadelphia, PA in 1980. (tomorrow, partner will write the word "setting" as the answer.
Bonus: On tomorrow's essay, draw a small picture of a rattlesnake watching the sun set with a bunny in the bottom corner of your last page; +1 bonus point on your homework assignment!
Thursday, 8/31: Students will read the course syllabus posted on this wikispace and discuss how vocabulary, AR tests, writing assignments, and reading assignments will be distributed and implemented through the year. After, we will open quzlet.com, bookmark the home page, and see how quizlet works by previewing vocab list #1 and practicing the various games and activities. HW: start studying list #1, and pick up AR book 1A.
Wednesday, 8/30: Classes will share their journals today and review classroom policies and expectations. After, we will tour the classroom and discuss Respect/Responsibility. Finally, we will look at this wikisapce and look at the syllabus to see what we will be doing in class this year.
Tuesday, 8/29: Today, classes will do a quizizz .com activity to preview the English year. After, we will start journal entry #1- the topic is "What would be your 5 rules if you were the teacher?" 100 words; due in class tomorrow!
Monday, 8/28: Welcome to English class! Today we will do a scavenger hunt to get to know your classmates.
English, Mr. Truex
Welcome to Mr. Truex's Wiki for English Class. Here, you will find useful information for the course curriculum, including policies, daily homework assignments, book report assignments, and long-term due dates.
News and Announcements:
Course Syllabus: Click here to see policies, point values, and details of the 8th grade English curriculum
Current Unit: Poetry
Marking Period Due Dates:
AR 4A- 4/19
AR 4B- 5/3
AR 4C- 5/24
Vocab Quiz #9- 2/9
Vocab Quiz #10- 2/23
Vocab Quiz #11- 3/9
Vocab Quiz #12- 5/4
The Daily Rundown
Thursday, 5/31: Students will watch "the rest of the story" of AF; what happened after hiding. HW: Exact Path due tomorrow; Watch end of the play for Monday's test!
Movie from today:- if you want to watch more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c25oZQrnXwc
Play: start watching from 1:26:00 to the end:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97kl3CwHNms&pbjreload=10
Full text for reading the diary:
http://www.mooreschools.com/cms/lib/OK01000367/Centricity/Domain/1514/The%20Diary%20of%20Anne%20Frank%20Play%20Full%20Text.pdf
Wednesday, 5/30: Students will take a quiz on DoAF worth 10 points; after, we will watch. HW: Watch the segments posted below on the youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97kl3CwHNms&pbjreload=10
Academic- watch 1:05:00 through 1:26:00
Honors- watch 57:00 through 1:26.00
Also, Exact Path due Friday; Honors P&P 2018 Extra Credit due tomorrow!
Monday, 5/29: Students will read DoAF Act 1 scenes 4 and 5 (nightmares and Hanukkah); Honors students will take P&P test before reading. HW: All classes should watch the remainder of Act 1 on youtube, starting at 48:00 and watching to the end (60:00).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFn0pGY66dU
Thursday, 5/24 and Friday, 5/25: All-day hockey schedules. In class, students will take AR tests, check books in the library, and watch 15 minutes of the DoAF video where Dr. Dussel joins. HW: EP due next Friday!
Wednesday, 5/23: All classes will continue reading DoAF; Students will identify words with connotative menaings.
Tuesday, 5/22: AC classes will continue the Diary; Honors classes will review prepositional phrases as used as adjective phrases.
Monday, 5/21: Students will continue reading DoAF in class, focusing on the characterization of the characters based on words and actions.
Friday, 5/18: DoAF, Act 1 scene 2 and 3. HW: Exact Path and AR!
Thursday, 5/17 DOAF: Reading! DOAF; Act 1 scene 2 and 3; AR tests for academic classes.
Wednesday, 5/16: DOAF: read Act 1, Scene 2 and part of 3. Also, we will write a paragraph response about the third wall fact that students read about.
Tuesday, 5/15: Students will use their learned fact sheets from yesterday to work with a partner on a Venn Diagram and with a second partner to give an oral paragraph summary. We will use the third fact tomorrow in class! We will then read some of Act I, Scene 2 of DoaF. HW: EP. AR 4/24.
Monday, 5/14: Students will work with the fact sheets in the hallway to create notes on 3 topics. We will use the notes tomorrow to teach the topics to other students. We will also read a page or two of the Diary of Anne Frank. HW: Review notes; AR 5/24/ Exact Path
Friday, 5/11: Tour of the Anne Frank House online:
http://www.annefrank.org/secretannex
Thursday, 5/10: Students will take their AR tests and work with their WWII Fact Sheets, sharing with a friend and hanging them in the appropriate heading area in the hallway. We will also get books from the library. HW: AR 5/24; Exact Path
Wednesday, 5/9: Today we will spend the period reading the play, assigning the parts, and starting Act 1 scene 1 and 2. HW: AR!
Tuesday, 5/8: Students will submit the 2 copies of their fact sheets in class, and then begin background on The Diary of Anne Frank.. HW: AR Thursday
Monday, 5/7: Students will compile their WWII fact sheet in class and print two copies for tomorrow.
It should be size 12 Times New Roman, Title should be in italics, 10 bullet point notes in complete sentences, 1 bullet point "So What" as bullet #11, cittaions for statistics/quotes/rare information, easy bib entries in the footnote, 1 picture, and 2 copies printed! See example from 5/1 below.
Friday, 5/4: Vocab test on list #12 . HW: EP, AR, and fact sheet for WWII!
Thursday, 5/3: Classes will use quizlet to review list #12 quietly, and then play "Quizlet Live". After, WWII fact sheet research will continue. HW: Study! vocab!
Wednesday, 5/2: Students will work on vocabulary by reviewing yesterday's answers from the fill in the blank sentences; they will then work on page 4 of the packet, synonym and antonyms. After, students will work on their WWII research project for 15-20 minutes. Students should take notes in note form, citing references and putting notes into their own words. HW: study vocab!
Tuesday, 5/1: Trade vocab HW #12 and complete with partner. We will then pick WWII research projects and look at the rubric and example; research begins tomorrow. HW: Study vocab!
Monday, 4/30:
Friday, 4/27: Classes will finish part III of the book, "Resistance, Rescue, and Liberation". Students will make a 10-question T/F quiz to pass around the room as review. HW: EP, AR .
Thursday, 4/26: Classes will continue using the "TTWR" book to learn about the Holocaust; students will continue to accrue new facts and questions on their notes paper.
Wednesday, 4/25: PSSA Testing- no classes 1-3. Periods 4-6 will look at TTWR and look at the remainder of the events that lead to "The Final Solution". HW: EP and AR ; DC Monday due Friday!
Tuesday, 4/24: PSSA Science Testing- no classes 1-3. Periods 4-6 will look at Tell Them We Remember: Story of the Holocaust and look at Jewish life in Europe prior to the Holocaust. HW: AR May 2 and 6 EP skills.
Monday, 4/23: Students will complete the WWII video and answer two questions in paragraph form: 1) Would you have dropped the atomic bomb on Japan, knowing the loss of life to civilians, and 2) What is America's role in the gobal community? Should we be isolationists and ignore the rest of the world's problems, or should we be involved in all conflicts, to insure that all global citizens enjoy life, liberty, and happiness?
Friday, 4/20: Students will continue watching the WWII video- to be completed on Monday! HW: Exact Path 6 skills- 3 reading, 3 LA!
Thursday, 4/19: Students will watch part of a video to introduce them to WWII. Students will have to answer 30 of the 50 questions as we watch. We will also take AR tests, and if possible, got to the library for AR books.
Wednesday, 4/18: Students will watch Part 1 and 2 of "WWI Oversimplified" videos to understand the causes, participants, instigators, and outcomes of WWI. Links are below!
Part 1- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHSQAEam2yc
Part 2- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mun1dKkc_As&t=320s
Tuesday, 4/17:Students will begin inquiry into K-W-L of WWII in class, with a cursory overview of the causes and participants in WWII.
Monday, 4/16: In class today, students will work on the writing techniques for open-ended mathematics questions. HW: complete the responses not finished in class today. AR test Thursday!
Friday, 4/13: All classes will have the period as an Exact Path workday.
Thursday, 4/12: Day 3, PSSA Testing. Students will continue/complete grammar mistakes in class today.
Wednesday, 4/11:Day 2, PSSA testing. We will continue grammar errors in class.
Tuesday, 4/10: PSSA Testing. In class we will return work and look at grammar errors in writing projects.
Monday, 4/9- Classes will compare their TDA to student responses from the state and compare for scoring. We will also review how to prepare for tomorrow's PSSA! HW: Extra credit 19 gramamr questions to add 5 points to grammar quiz score.
Friday, 4/6: Students will take the 40-grammar term quiz in class today; grades for the quiz will be entered Monday. Following we will review the TDA from yesterday and give students time to work on it. HW: Complete TDA essay, and for 5 points extra credit, complete the grammar practice below. 15/19 score will be given 5 points extra credit to the quiz score from class today. For each question, give the correct answer and explain the "why" you said it was correct. ex. "B is the correct answer because a colon is used when listing items with a dramatic pause".
Thursday, 4/5: After completing group review of the 40 terms, students will review their "Whales" TDA and look at the example below for comparison. Following, we will start our last TDA, due Monday. HW: 40 grammar term quiz tomorrow!
Wednesday, 4/4: Students will have 10 minutes with similar-numbered word partners to review their 10 words and make sure they understand each before joining back with their original team of 4 to teach the terms. we will complete 3 of the 4 partners in class today and the 4th partner tomorrow. HW: Study the terms tonight and be ready to ask questions about the terms tomorrow!
Tuesday, 4/3: Students will check over text structure passages and OE response before looking at PSSA-released grammar items and working on strategies. Following, we will examine 40 grammar terms on the PSSA review sheet and divide them into 9 or 10 terms per student to study tonight. Tomorrow, students will take their 10 terms and teach them to the class! Know your terms!
Exact Path for 4th marking period will be 3 reading skills and 3 ELA skills!
Monday, 4/2: All students will review the 7 punctuation marks before continuing work on text structures. HW: complete the in-packet organizer for passages 2 and 3; for passage 4, identify, and draw a paragraph organizer for the question" What type of text structure is passage #4? Cite evidance in your response". Turn the organizer into a paragraph!
Wednesday, 3/28: Students will take a punctuation quiz on the 7 punctuation marks using their 8-box made in class yesterday. We will also start looking at text structures.
Tuesday, 3/27: Students will work on adjective and noun clauses today; following, we will work on the 7 oddball punctuation marks. Students will make an 8-box on blank paper, and use each box for one of the 7 punctuation marks- apostrophes, semicolons, colons, hyphens, dashes, and ellipsis points. Students will find these in box 13 on Englishgammar 101.com; for each point, they should write a definition, take 2 additional notes, do the practice exercises until they get 5 correct, and write a sentence that uses that punctuation mark correctly. Complete for HW. ALSO: Exact Path due tomorrow at 11:59 PM!
Monday, 3/26: We will introduce adverbs today, and follow with a review of the MC questions from "Gentle Giants" from Friday. After, we will review the TDA structure and students will begin writing the TDA response. HW: Complete TDA; Exact Path LA due Wednesday!
Friday, 3/23: Students will practice annotating non-fiction and answering TDA questions by reading "Swimming with Gentle Giants" and answering the 9 multiple choice answers. For homework, students will use a graphic organizer to answer the following prompt:
In "Swiimming with Gentle Giants", Rachel Cartwright explains the population cycles of humpback whales. Explain these population cycles, and discuss the potential problems facing the whales today. Cite evidence from the text in your answer.
HW: Exact Path and graphic organizer
Thursday, 3/22- Students will write a paragraph to explain/attempt to explain adjectives and adjective clauses. Then, we will review and practice adjective clauses further. HW: rewrite/complete adjective paragraph; collected tomorrow. Exact Path!
Wednesday, 3/21- No School
Tuesday, 3/20: Today we will preview list #12 and practice context clues for the first 6 words. We will then review adjectives, looking at box 5/lessons 2-5 and box 9/lesson 2 for adjective clauses. HW: Be ready for a quiz on adjective clauses (9/2) tomorrow!
Monday, 3/19: Vocab 11 Quiz today. HW: Exact Path!
Friday, 3/16: All students will review the checklist of 8 narrative skills before working on their narrative essay, due Monday. HW: narrative; Vocab test #11; Exact Path LA.
Wednesday, 3/14: Students will check their notes against the 8 items on the Narrative Writing Checklist and add to their list.
Tuesday, 3/13: Academic and honors classes will complete a readworks.org article in class today with the substitute. HW: AR test Thursday!
Monday, 3/12: Today we will begin a quick unit on Narrative Writing. Students will read "Once Upon a Time, When we were Colored" and pull 8 common characteristics of narrative writing from it and from "Raymond's Run", which we read earlier this year. HW: complete the 8-item checklist, with examples from each. AR Thursday, Vocab 11 Friday.
Quizlet links:
Honors- https://quizlet.com/_4l0k53
Academic: https://quizlet.com/_4jcvmv
Friday, 3/9: Quiz on verbs today. HW: Exact Path LA; AR Thursday; Vocab 11 Friday.
Thursday, 3/8: Today we will finish working through the module 3 on verbs. Students will work on active/passive, verb tense shift, and then complete lessons 13,14,16,17, and 18 on their own. HW: Quiz tomorrow: active, linking, helping, participles, to be, verb tense shift, participles, active/passive, and agreement. Know definitions and be able to give examples of each! Oh, and yes, the helping verb quiz!
Tuesday, 3/6: Studnts will review the HV cheer and then continue working on AV, HV, and LV, as well as participles. HW: Readworks articles due Thursday, regardlesss of whether or not we have school tomorrow!
Monday, 3/5: Classes will begin working on Language Arts skills by reviewing lessons 1-5 on Module 3, Englishgrammar101.com- Action, Linking, Helping verbs, and the verb "to be". HW: 1) Review: types of verbs (under lesson 5)- possible quiz tomorrow- 2) Vocab HW- 12 sentences with words in the sentence (not fill ins)- include 4 sentences with an action verb, 4 with a linking verb, and 4 with helping verbs/main verbs. Be ready to trade tomorrow, write synonyms for the vocab words, and identify verbs!
Helping Verb Cheer: AM IS ARE WAS WERE/ BE BEING BEEN/ DO DOES DID/ HAVE HAS HAD/ MAY MIGHT MUST/
CAN COULD /SHALL SHOULD/ WILL WOULD!
Hey parents: Can you help support our Mini-THON? Make sure your child's registration paperwork and $40 are submitted this week! It is an awesome night of fun, For The Kids!!!! FTK! Also, if you can help bring food and support our Mini-THON, please sign up on
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e48abac29a64-2018
Thursday, 3/1 and Friday, 3/2: Two-day poetry test! HW: EP LA and AR on 3/15.
Wednesday, 2/28: Classes will look at their respective vocab 11 lists, words 11-20 today in class. We will then review the layout for "Ode to Large Tuna" and collect at the end of the period. Finally, students have a readworks article on "Paul Revere's Ride"; questions and OE answers are due tomorrow. HW: Readworks, and test tomorrow. on Poetry. Look over list #8 tonight and review your vocabulalry!
Tuesday, 2/27: Students will share and submit their RAA poems from yesterday. We will then look at vocab list #11 (posted below). Finally, students will begin the poem "Ode to a Large Tuna" and answer the question "What is the author's tone towards the tuna in the market? Cite examples to support your answer." Draw and complete a graphic organizer to answer the question.HW: Graphic organizer for tomorrow!
Link to "Ode to a Large Tuna in a Market":
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/49322/ode-to-a-large-tuna-in-the-market
Monday, 2/26: Poetry writing in class! Write an poem about the main character of your last AR book.
Requirements:
1. 12 lines minimum; stanzas are optional.
2. Maximum 1 page
3. Tell the adventures of your protagonist and any heroic actions
4. Rhyming require in first 4 lines- ABBA. After that, you may go to free verse or create your own rhyme scheme,
5. Use one vocab word from lists 9 or 10.
6. Neatly done for submission!
7. Extra Credit: Complete the poem in Italian Sonnet Form: ABBA/ABBA?CDCDCD or ABBA/CDDC/EFEFEF; or ABBA/ABBA/CDECDE; 10 syllables per line; second syllable in a 2-syllable foot is stressed.
Example:
"Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers" (Italian Sonnet)
Should you be moved to speak in anger, dear,
I ask that first you test your words alone.
If anger stems from blunder of my own
You’ll want to be assured your meaning’s clear.
Harsh words once thrown will travel like a spear.
We’ve both before said words we can’t disown,
They’re best unsaid than trying to attone.
The thoughts that form those words might disappear.
So hold those words for later; don’t despair
There’s nothing risked delaying words that grate.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
I’ll listen to your words- you know I’m fair.
So love, allow your anger to abate.
I love you dearly; I will make it right.
Friday, 2/23: Vocab test #10! HW: Exact Path LA!
Thursday, 2/22: Students will review the work from yesterday, including a line-by-line breakdown of Sonnet 43. We will then work with the rhyme scheme and the meter of the poem, identifying what "iambic pentameter" is and how it is used in the poem. We will then take AR tests and pick books in the library. HW: Vocab 10 quiz tomorrow.
Wednesday, 2/21:
In class today:
1. Re-read "Sonnet 43" in readworks again.
2. Identify 10 ways she loves him (on notebook paper).
3. Find two sections of the poem that you find confusing.
1; 2-4; 5-6;7-8; 9-10; 11-12; 12-13; 13-14. Read the summaries of these lines and write a paragraph summary of each section.
https://www.shmoop.com/how-do-i-love-thee-sonnet-43/section-1-lines-1-8-summary.html
4. Identify the rhyme scheme of the sonnet.
HW: AR Test tomorrow, Vocab #10 Friday.
Tuesday, 2/20: Students will peer-evaluate their TDA paragraphs, and then students will submit for a grade. We will also look at/discuss the poem "If" from readworks and review the correct OE and MC questions. Finally, students will preview "Sonnet 43" from readworks; tonight, answer the multiple-choice questions only and submit answers.
ANAPHORA (question 6)- use of repetition of a word or phrase
HW: Answer 7 MC questions on Sonnet 43; AR Thursday; Vocab #10 Friday; 9th Period work owed party on Thursday!!!!
Monday, 2/19: Students will complete the assignment that was not completed Friday- either the readworks.org poem entitled "If" or the TDA essay paragraphs. Both are due tomorrow! HW: complete each, plus AR Thursday and Vocab Quiz #10 Friday.
Honors #10 Quizlet:
https://quizlet.com/_4fs1vn
Academic #10 Practice Sadlierconnect:
https://www.sadlierconnect.com/anonymous/product.html?productId=6&programTOCId=2707&alias=vw&eventId=qGYTHlA4Mt1Mhq69&eventValidation=cb641c741f459930f75c56656c7a128a._.I3Z7e1ea_QI6U-6clmR9dvJ1EYR_X6XwW6jyx7U4aygmeMJd2mpp0-vAUQxEP4-0Mm6bbzkP8uVXOwa-NPZ31g~~
Friday, 2/16: Students will review their TDA responses from yesterday. Following, students will have the choice of doing two more paragraphs of the TDA OR working on the Readworks poem "If". Whichever is chosen needs to be completed this weekend; the other assignment will be done on Monday in class. Both "If" and the TDA are due Tuesday in class. ALSO: AR Thursday; Exact Path LA #4 skill should also be done!
Thursday, 2/15: Academic students will continue looking at the TDA response to compare/contrast the two readings. Students will practice START, ICES, ICES, etc. as they write their TDA. Students will compare their writing to the model below:
Wednesday, 2/14: Academic classes will work on comparing and contrasting "I Hear America" and "Industrialization" with the question, "Are the portrayals of work in America during the 1800's similar or different? Cite examples in your response." HW: Complete the introduction, using the START method shown in class. Honors: students will complete EP reading diagnostic. AR 2/23; EP LA!
Tuesday, 2/13: Students in academic classes will trade vocab HW's and complete.
After, all classes will log into readworks.com and join an class using the class codes listed below.
Monday, 2/12: Classes will preview vocab list #10 in class. HW: Draw 8-box cartoons of 8 words; partners need to guess the words tomorrow!
Friday, 2/9: Vocab Quiz #9 for all classes!
Thursday, 2/8- Late Start. Classes will complete EP LA Diagnostic and prepare for vocabulary test on Friday. HW: Vocab test!
Wednesday, 2/7: No School- Snow Day
Tuesday, 2/6: Exact Path Language Arts diagnostic in class today.
Monday, 2/5: Late Start: Classes will work on their EP Reading diagnostic if unfinished; otherwise, they will read "I Hear America Singing" below and write a paragraph response to address the theme of the poem. Tomorrow: EP LA test.
Friday, 2/2: Classes will work on EP Reading diagnostic in class today. Honors classes will attend their field trip to Fort Indiantown Gap. HW: EP LA!
Thursday, 2/1: Periods 1, 5,6,7: Classes will work on Exact Path Language Arts for the period before going to the library and taking AR 3A/Selecting a new book. HW: EP LA!
Wednesday, 1/31: Students will be reviewing the poetry compare/contrast from yesterday's class. After, we will look at a poem and a non-fiction piece about the "Battle of the Bulge". which was fought in WWII to prepare for the WWII assembly tomorrow. HW: complete readings/Questions, and AR 3A tomorrow in class.
Tuesday, 1/30: After trading and completing vocab HW #9, students will compare/contrast "Still I Rise" and "Mother to Son" using the worksheet questions below.
Academic Link to vocab list #9-
https://www.sadlierconnect.com/anonymous/product.html?productId=5&programTOCId=2670&alias=vw&eventId=iWKPmARYK6Wg9W6v&eventValidation=d00e4075ff93f68e4bc32eb32cc10cb7._.I3Z7e1ea_QI6U-6clmR9dvJ1EYR_X6XwW6jyx7U4aygmeMJd2mpp0-vAUQxEP4-0Mm6bbzkP8uVXOwa-NPZ31g~~
Honors Link to vocab list #9-
https://www.sadlierconnect.com/anonymous/product.html?productId=6&programTOCId=2703&alias=vw&eventId=ytn0F1sWugLFspKh&eventValidation=367fe60b2575cdaa7d03f680f47fa98c._.I3Z7e1ea_QI6U-6clmR9dvJ1EYR_X6XwW6jyx7U4aygmeMJd2mpp0-vAUQxEP4-0Mm6bbzkP8uVXOwa-NPZ31g~~
Monday, 1/29: Students will receive vocab list #9 in class today and review words. We will also review poem responses and annotations. HW: complete vocab 9 HW- 12 fill in the blank sentences. AR Thursday!
Friday, 1/26: Students in academic classes will submit their written responses and then start the annotation of "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. AC HW: Complete annotation of "Still I Rise" using the chart used in class. Honors will set up a graphic organizer and begin the organization of their response, using the 5-paragraph essay method. Topic" How does Symbolism affect the theme of "Mother to Daughter?" Honors HW: Complete graphic organizer.
ALL CLASSES: * Exact Path LANGUAGE ARTS skills due this marking period= 8 hours of work=1 hour a week! Next AR is 2/1.
Thursday, 1/25: Academic students will complete the annotation of "Mother to Son"; following, they will look at how to start a TDA response to the question " How does symbolism affect the theme of "Mother to Son"? Write the response for homework tonight. Honors will do their cover page for Major Author, and then start in on the poem "Mother to Son".
Wednesday, 1/24: Students will look at the process of breaking down a poem by using the article from wikihow link and practicing on the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes".
https://www.wikihow.com/Understand-a-Poem
Tuesday, 1/23: Academic classes will begin their poetry unit by looking at two mysteries and searching for clues. After, we will determine what kind of "clues" are present in a poem to construct meaning!
https://www.wikihow.com/Understand-a-Poem
Monday, 1/22: Classes will take their quizzes on Vocab list #8, poetry! HW: AR 2/1.
Friday, 1/19: Teacher Inservice!
Thursday, 1/18: Students will submit the final copy of their Arguementative essay in class today and will work on Exact Path, which is due tomorrow at 12:00! HW: Vocab test on Poetry on Monday!
Wednesday, 1/10- No School! Snow Day!
Tuesday, 1/9: Students will trade and complete vocab HW #8 for credit in class. After, we will begin editing the tech essay by doing a self-edit and by doing 1 peer edit. More editing to follow tomorrow! HW: AR and Exact Path
Monday, 1/8: Early dismissal. We will review vocab list #8 in class today. Students should complete vocab #8 HW, 12 matching of the words and "examples of" the words. Also, students should have a paper copy of their tech essay in class tomorrow for credit!
Friday, 1/5: All classes will have the period to try to complete the rough draft of the technology essay, completing the 3rd argument, the rebuttal, and the conclusion. For Monday, all 6 paragraphs should be completed!
Thursday 1/4: Classes will take their AR tests and go to the library today. We will also work on the rough drafts of the tech essay.
Wednesday, 1/3: All classes will work on their introduction hooks and definitions; after, we will start typing the essay! 2 paragraphs are to be typed for tomorrow, the introduction and the first body paragraph. AR test tomorrow as well!
Tuesday, 1/2: Students will have time in class to work on their rebuttal paragraphs for the technology essay- and to complete any parts of the essay still undone. Be ready to write tomorrow! AR test Thursday.
Friday, 12/22: In-class activities today.
Thursday, 12/21: Vocab Quiz #7 in class today! HW: over break, complete three boxes for argumentative tech essay; Honors also have Major Author Biography due 1/3.
Wednesday, 12/20: Continued research on technology/AI. Honors should have two articles completed by tomorrow; academics will have three completed. All research for all classes should be completed by 1/2/18. Vocab Quiz #7 tomorrow!
Tuesday, 12/19: Students will spend the period researching their technology topics in class today. Honors should complete their first article by tomorrow; academics should complete their second.
Monday, 12/18: Academic students will begin formulating their thesis before they begin researching tech pro/con articles for their argumentative essay. The articles posted below are to help with the research process.
Anti-technology articles:
Pro-technology articles:
Honors: Read the article above "Upside of AI", plus the article at the link below:
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/03/elon-musk-billion-dollar-crusade-to-stop-ai-space-x
Friday- Academics will review the agrees/disagree statements from yesterday's article. We will then begin formulating the tech argument by looking at the following worksheet:
Honors will use the period to research their major author.
Flex:
http://www.riddlesandanswers.com/tag/8th-grade-riddles/
Thursday, 12/14: Students in academic classes will continue to look at technology and develop their stance on its impact on our lives. Today, we will look at a pros/cons article about technology, in general. Students will look for 10 statements about technology and classify them as a statement they agree or disagree with, and provide a 1 sentence explanation of why they agree or disagree.
HONORS: Students will take 2 days off from technology to begin researching their Major Author and previewing the MLA format of writing.
Video:
http://www.easybib.com/guides/video-lesson-citations-for-beginners/
MLA Citation Guide:
https://library.csun.edu/egarcia/documents/mlacitation_quickguide.pdf
We will then start researching the author. Use as sheet of lined paper; put webpage title, author, and url at the top, and use that paper ONLY for the source at the top. Take notes to document the author's life as outlined on the Major Author sheet.
Wednesday, 12/13: Students will look at the articles below and answer questions on AI technology.
Tuesday, 12/12: Students will trade homework #7 (grammar) in class today before looking into AI and technology.
Acacdemic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95KhuSbYJGE
Honors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLeuCj0ZFo4
Monday, 12/11: Students will review vocab list #7 (Grammar) in class today. Following, we will wrap up "The Veldt" by brainstorming thematic ideas pertaining to Warnings for Parents, Children, and Technology. HW: Vocab 7 HW: Do a 12-question matching quiz for tomorrow.
Friday, 12/8: All classes will take vocab quiz #7 today. HW: Exact Path!
Thursday, 12/7: Classes will look at the following questions in class and answer any 5 of the 15 questions, prior to taking the AR test and going to the library. HW: Vocab quiz tomorrow on list #6.
Wednesday, 12/6: All classes will read "The Veldt" and try to complete it in class. The story and youtube link are below. As you write, complete the 15 observations about the story. AR tomorrow; Vocab Friday; Exact Path Monday.
Period 1- Completed in class
Period 2- Part V, 18:54 on youtube
Period 5- Part V, 20:00 on youtube
Period 6- Part IV, 17:40 on youtube
Period 7-Part V, 18:54 on youtube
Tuesday, 12/5: Academic classes will trade vocab crossword homeworks and complete them before starting to read/ listent to"The Veldt", listed below. Period 7 students should open the story (below) and listen on the youtube link up to 7:36, where we stopped in class. Honors classes will trade vocab crosswords, and then read the overview of the Major Author research project. Due dates are 12/11 (summary #1), 1/3 (Author biography research), and 1/8 (Summary #2).
All Classes HW: AR Thursday, Vocab Quiz #6 Friday, and Exact Path Monday.
Monday, 12/4: Today we will start the story "The Veldt" to kick off our technology unit. We will also do a journal to start discussing the technology issue. "The Veldt" link is listed below-
We will listen to it narrated on youtube at the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJAKjpb2eOs&t=25s
HW: Vocab HW 6B- Crossword puzzle using vocab list #6 words! You may use this website if you can print:
https://crosswordlabs.com/ Save it as a PDF and then print!
Friday, 12/1: Students who have class today will work on Exact Path; 1 skill achievement (minimum) is due Monday for reading.
Thursday, 11/30: Classes will take the englishgrammar101.com quiz on subjects and predicates in class today. After, students in academic classes will begin working on adjectives; Honors students will look at objects, complements, and transitive/intransitive. Honors students should look at lessons 6-12, read the material, and practice the questions. Then, they should write a three-paragraph "How To" paper on how to find and identify each of the areas above- objects, complements, and transitive/intransitive. Due tomorrow. HW: start working on exact path reading; 1 skill minimum due Monday. Also, AR is 12/7 and vocab quiz is 12/8.
Wednesday, 11/29: Classes will trade homework and identify misused vocab words; after, we will compare word off of the parts of speech comparison chart. Following, we will work on subject and predicate identification from englishgrammar101.com, using box 4 lessons 1-5 to practice. Tomorrow, students will be quizzed on subjects and predicates using the "review" link under lesson #5. Tomorrow, we will pick up with adjectives and adverbs.
HW: AR 12/7; quiz on subjects and predicates tomorrow!
Tuesday, 11/28: All classes will review vocab list #6 (posted below). After, we will work on changing parts of speech and changing the forms of words from nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs. HW: 12 True/false sentences- write a sentence, fill in vocab word. 6 should be done correctly, and 6 should have the wrong word inserted for partners to find and correct tomorrow.
Tuesday, 11/21: Classes in periods 1 and 2 will continue work with Exact Path; afternoon classes will be watching a movie. HW: AR on 12/7; get a book completed if you failed the first AR test so you can do a replacement!
Monday, 11/20: Classes will use Exact Path software today to get used to the new computer software. Vocab 6 will also be distributed in class.
Friday, 11/17: Vocab Quiz #5 on Argumentative vocab words will be given in class today.
Thursday, 11/16: Students will complete their in-class essays today and then take AR tests. HW: Vocab Quiz #5 tomorrow; link to quizlet below.
https://quizlet.com/60220207/vocab-list-argumentative-vocabulary-flash-cards/
Wednesday, 1/15: Shortened periods- Falcons Care schedule. In class, students will be writing their short story essays; they will have 12 minutes to complete them in class tomorrow. HW: AR test tomorrow! Vocab Friday!
Tuesday, 11/14: Shorted periods due to Exact Path Math testing. Classes will practice developing hooks and pick one to use for their introduction; after, students will complete their introductions and conclusions for tomorrow's essay. HW: Practice the essay; say it, re-write the organizer, or write it...but know it! Also, AR on Thursday.
Monday, 11/13: Shortened periods due to Exact Path Language Arts testing. Classes will begin to work on the graphic organizer for their short-story essay, which will be written in class on Wednesday. HW: AR Thursday.
Thursday and Friday, 11/9 and 11/10: Parent teacher conferences
Wednesday, 11/8: Classes will complete the editing of their 1C essay. After, they will finish any exact path testing, read their AR book, or go to the book fair if they have $$. HW: AR Thursday!
Tuesday, 11/7: Shortened periods due to testing. Periods 1-7 will work on essay corrections from their 1C AR essay. HW: AR 11/16; bring $$ if you want to go to the book fair tomorrow!
Monday, 11/6: Students will choose one more Poe story to read in class today from the list of stories below. Once they have completed the story, they will use it to fill in the last column of the compare/contrast chart provided on Thursday. HW: complete the Poe chart for tomorrow.
https://poestories.com/stories.php
Story choices:
"Black Cat"
"Cask of Amontillado"
"Ligeia"
"Pit and Pendulum"
"Fall of the House of Usher"
Friday, 11/3: No School/teacher inservice
Thursday, 11/2: Classes will continue reading Poe in order to do a compare/contrast of his life and works.
"Annibel Lee"-
https://poestories.com/read/annabellee
"The Raven" -
https://poestories.com/read/raven
Biography:
https://poestories.com/biography.php
After reading both poems, "Tell-Tale Heart", and reading his biography, complete three (3) columns in the compare/contrast chart provided in class. Due Monday.
Wednesday, 11/1: Classes will complete "The Tell- Tale Heart" and answer a paragraph question about the story. Academic: Is the narrator sane or insane. Period 6 honors should finish the story.
https://poestories.com/text.php?file=telltaleheart
Tuesday, 10/31: After trading and grading vocab HW #5, we will start reading Poe's "Tell- Tale Heart". HW: enjoy the candy!
Monday, 10/30: All classes will review vocab list #5 in class today; after, we will study the biography of E.E. Poe in preparation of tomorrow's reading. HW: Vocab list #5 HW- 12 fill ins; all work is owed by Thursday!
Friday, 10/27: Vocab Quiz #4 in class today. HW: complete three paragraphs on book 1C, assigned yesterday, worth 30 points.
Thursday, 10/26: First, classes will complete an organizer to delineate the three parts of an intro, three parts of a body paragraph, and three parts of a conclusion. Students should write a 3-word definition of each. After, we will look at the topic for academics, "Who are the three most important characters in your book" and Honors will look at the topic "What are the most important literary devices used by your author in your novel?" For Monday, students should write an abbreviated essay with an intro, one (of the three) body paragraphs, and a conclusion on the topic listed above. Any more than 5 grammar errors or three structural errors and the essay will be returned to redo!
We will then take AR tests and go to the library for new books.
HW: Vocab Quiz #4 tomorrow.
Wednesday, 10/25: Students will trade vocab HW (Academic), and review their conclusions from last night. Afterwards, students will have time to review vocab on quizlet or read for AR tomorrow. HW: AR test tomorrow!
Quizlet:
https://quizlet.com/93376307/vocab-list-writing-terms-flash-cards/
Tuesday, 10/24: Today we will review the introductions on "Identity Theft" before looking to conclusions. Students will read the hand out and supplement it with the website:
https://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html
Academic- After, we will practice writing conclusions by writing a conclusion to the "Identity Theft" topic and review; also, 12 matching vocab HW.
Honors- After, we will write an intro/conclusion to the topic "what point of view does the author of your AR book use, and why is it the most appropriate?"
All- AR test Thursday; Vocab Friday.
HW: Tonight, write an intro AND conclusion to the topic: "Why is the point of view that the author chooses to use in your AR book the most appropriate for the novel?" Write both an introduction and conclusion; do not write the body paragraphs!
Monday, 10/23: We will continue working on introductions today by looking at the parts of the introduction. First, we will unscramble the sentences in the worksheet below to make paragraphs and delineate which sentences are the hook, definition, and thesis. After, we will work on the bridge/definition part of the introduction by doing a bridging activity to link the hook noun to the thesis.HW: Finish "Identity Theft" if you did not do so in class today; Period 2 needs to write a practice intro on the topic " Name three reasons why I should read your AR book"; AR for all classes Thursday!
Friday, 10/20: Students will trade and peer-evaluate the paragraphs about paragraphs. We will then start looking at a graphic organizer on introductions, and students will practice an introduction using the worksheet. HW: complete practice introduction; complete corrections; AR test 10/26!
Thursday, 10/19: Today, students will have time to complete 4 assignments; 1. complete the remainder of writing corrections; 2. Write a paragraph that properly explains how to write a paragraph; 3. complete any work owed; 4. Read AR book. HW: Corrections and paragraph due tomorrow.
Wednesday, 10/18: Classes will trade vocabulary HW and complete "righty/wrongy" exercise. After, we will return work and do writing corrections to any grammatical error committed in the writing. For each mistake,
1A- Rewrite the sentence; underline the correction made in the sentence.
1B- Explain the grammar rule that was broken (I need a comma here because...)
1C- Write a new sentence that demonstrates/practices the grammar rule broken
HW: complete a total of 3 corrections to the essays provided in class.
Tuesday, 10/17: Vocab list #4 will be distributed and reviewed in class today. HW: 12 "Righty/Wrongy" sentences; write a fill in the blank sentence, and then fill in the blank with either a correct or incorrect vocabulary word. Tomorrow, partners will evaluate each sentence, determine if the word is correct or incorrect, and correct the incorrect ones. AR test is 10/26!
Monday, 10/16: All classes will take Vocab Quiz #3 in class today and submit their paragraphs on the AR book from last week. HW: read AR book; only 10 days until your next test!
Friday, 10/13: Students will peer-edit their partner's paragraph on the Renaissance Faire, looking that the sentences that structure a paragraph are done well and evaluating their work. After, the students will copy down the organizer for two paragraphs for the weekend; paragraph #1 is on the topic "the main character of your book was very " (characterization) and the second paragraph is "the main character of your book learned_ " (theme). Students should complete the organizers, and then turn each into a proper paragraph. Also, for HW, study for vocab list #2- quiz Monday!
Thursday, 10/12: Classes will recap their day at the Renaissance Faire and talk about their experiences. We will start working on paragraphing and write a practice paragraph on "School Busses", modeling topic sentences, supporting sentences, and concluding sentences. For HW, students should complete their school bus paragraph and write a paragraph about a show they watched during the Renaissance Faire, supporting the topic and the claim. HW: AR test tomorrow.
Wednesday, 10/11: Day at the Faire!
Tuesday, 10/10: Classes will learn about the Renaissance time period and what to expect at the Renaissance Faire. Students will also submit their reading logs for grading.
Friday, 10/6: Part II of the short story test today. HW: Reading logs (worth 120 points are due Tuesday; AR test Friday 10/14.
Thursday, 10/5: Part I of the short story test today. Part II tomorrow!
Wednesday, 10/4: Classes today will review for tomorrow's Short Story test by looking at literary terms and reviewing the 4 short stories. Students will work in partners to complete this review activity; complete it for HW if unfinished during the class period. HW: Complete review activity and review vocab llist #1!
On Hope:
http://mettler.tumblr.com/post/198892031/on-hope-by-spencer-holst
Tuesday, 10/3: Classes will trade and complete vocab HW #3 (worth 10 points). We will then review "Dancer" or "Tinkhamtown" before starting the final story of our unit, "Raymond's Run". HW: Complete "Raymond's Run" and the reading logs.
RAYMOND'S RUN: http://www.syracusecityschools.com/tfiles/folder836/raymond's%20run%20text.pdf
Monday, 10/2: Classes will take a reading quiz/Collins #2 writing on their short story and discuss it today. After, we will distribute and discuss Vocab list #3, a second list of character traits. HW: 12 Multiple-Choice questions using the words and definitions.
Flex: Test on Pronouns this week!
Friday, 9/29: Vocab Quiz #2 will be administered in class today. All students should check their skyward grade in the portal and make sure they do not have an F or D and owe 3 assignments- or it's lunch detention on Tuesday!
HW- Academic periods 1,5,7- Read the story "Dancer" from the link below and complete your reading logs as you go. The story is on page 2 of the PDF. http://www.oaklandwrites.org/documents/administering/8thGradeDancerPrompt.pdf
HW- Honors, Periods 2, 6- Read "The Road to Tinkhamtown" below and complete the reading log graphic organizer.
Thursday, 9/28: Mr. Swartz will be in class today, teaching about reacting to stress and trauma as related to "Stop the Sun". HW: Vocab Quiz #2; paragraph on Vietnam.
Wednesday 9/27: Classes will review the "Vietnam: The Noblest Calling" article and questions from yesterday. We will then work on our concluding activity, which is to draw a conclusion whether or not the Vietnam Conflict was justified. HW: complete the graphic organizers posted below; we will turn these into paragraphs for Friday. Study vocab!
CDT Instructions:
Tuesday, 9/26: Students will complete their Literary Terms organizer for "Stop the Sun" and take a 5 question quiz about their reading last night. After, we will look at the Vietnam conflict through the eyes of a second veteran. HW: Finish reading and questions; vocab Friday; AR!
Monday, 9/25: Classes will begin the story "Stop the Sun" by Gary Paulsen today. Students will fill out the #1 and #2 portions of their reading logs as we read. HW: Complete the story using the link below, and complete the reading log #3 boxes. Also HW: Vocab Quiz Friday- Study!
"Stop the Sun": http://members.chello.nl/~d.hasselman/stop_the_sun.htm
Friday, 9/22: We will review last night's Vietnam worksheets and watch a youtube video to simplify the Vietnam conflict. After, we will look at how communism impacted the Vietnam conflict before starting the story "Stop the Sun".
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoXySB-WlZE
"Stop the Sun": http://members.chello.nl/~d.hasselman/stop_the_sun.htm
Thursday, 9/21: Classes will review "On Hope" Journal #3 and the "Elements of Fiction" organizer. After, we will take AR tests and select new books in the library. HW: All classes will be reading a non-fiction piece on the Vietnam War tonight and answering the assigned questions, which are due tomorrow. NOTE: Any student who did poorly on their AR tests today may retake them at any time before the end of the marking period to replace the poor score!
Wednesday, 9/20: Students will complete the story "On Hope" by completing their reading logs in class and completing the "elements of fiction" organizer on the back. Students will write Journal #3 on the topic "What is the resolution? Why" for the story "On Hope". HW: complete J#3; Complete
the "Elements of Fiction" if not completed in class.
Tuesday, 9/19: After trading and completing list #2 HW, we will look at "On Hope" and complete the story. Students should have the entire first reading log completed with 10 observations about the story. HW: AR, englishgrammar101.com
Monday, 9/18: Classes will review vocab list #2, Character Traits (affable). We will then begin the story "On Hope" and work on reading strategies. HW: Vocab 2 HW: 12 fill ins using new words. 4 sentences should be simple, 4 compound, and 4 complex. FLEX noun test this week; AR Thursday.
Quizlet Link:
https://quizlet.com/99794755/vocab-list-2-character-traits-b-flash-cards/
Friday, 9/15: All classes will take Vocab Quiz #1 today in class. HW: Read that AR book, due Thursday!
Thursday, 9/14: Students will work on S/C/CX sentence patterns before beginning to look into short stories. HW: Vocab Quiz #1 tomorrow!
Wednesday, 9/13: All classes will spend the day with Mrs. Raytick today, learning about the new library activities and resources.
Tuesday, 9/12: Students will look at Journal #2 and check for usage of DIIE in the entry. Following, we will pass journal entries and identify the DIIE sentences in partners' entries. At the end of class, we will cover the 3 sentence patterns on the back of our graphic organizer. HW: Vocab Quiz and AR book!
Monday, 9/11: Students will use the worksheet below to work on sentences, run-ons, and fragments:
HW: Journal #2: Write a 100-word journal entry on the topic "What is your favorite movie, and why should I watch it?" Try to persuade me! As you write the entry, you must use each of the 4 sentence types: Declarative, Imperative, Interrogative,
Friday, 9/8: All students will do the definition of a sentence competition to see who knows it best! Congrats Kacie...you will have your Dr. Pepper Monday or Tuesday! After, we will use the organizer to complete Run on's/Fragments, and the 4 sentence types (DIIE!). HW: AR book 9/15, Vocab quiz 9/15.
Thursday, 9/7: Classes will self-edit their writing prompt from yesterday using the "read aloud" method. After, we will begin sentencing before heading to the library to pick out AR books for the 9/21 deadline. Homework: memorize the definition of a sentence for the competition tomorrow!
Wednesday, 9/6: Classes will trade and complete their vocabulary homework #1 in class. After, students will write a sample essay on the topic "What do you value? What is important to you?" This essay is to see how students structure their writing and where their writing skills are currently. the three FCA's are based on their content, organization, and grammar- essay is worth 15 points tomorrow!
Tuesday, 9/5: Classes today will review and discuss vocab list #1, Literary Terms. Time permitting, students will begin their vocabulary homework #1, to create 12 fill-in-the-blank sentences using the words in list #1. Put a word bank at the bottom of the page for your partner to use tomorrow.
example: 1. The __ of the book was Philadelphia, PA in 1980. (tomorrow, partner will write the word "setting" as the answer.
Bonus: On tomorrow's essay, draw a small picture of a rattlesnake watching the sun set with a bunny in the bottom corner of your last page; +1 bonus point on your homework assignment!
Thursday, 8/31: Students will read the course syllabus posted on this wikispace and discuss how vocabulary, AR tests, writing assignments, and reading assignments will be distributed and implemented through the year. After, we will open quzlet.com, bookmark the home page, and see how quizlet works by previewing vocab list #1 and practicing the various games and activities. HW: start studying list #1, and pick up AR book 1A.
Wednesday, 8/30: Classes will share their journals today and review classroom policies and expectations. After, we will tour the classroom and discuss Respect/Responsibility. Finally, we will look at this wikisapce and look at the syllabus to see what we will be doing in class this year.
Tuesday, 8/29: Today, classes will do a quizizz .com activity to preview the English year. After, we will start journal entry #1- the topic is "What would be your 5 rules if you were the teacher?" 100 words; due in class tomorrow!
Monday, 8/28: Welcome to English class! Today we will do a scavenger hunt to get to know your classmates.